Background
He was born at "Matthew"s Field," in Blooming Grove, New York in Orange County in the village founded by his grandfather of the same name.
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He was born at "Matthew"s Field," in Blooming Grove, New York in Orange County in the village founded by his grandfather of the same name.
Studied law, New York City Admitted to New York bar, 1790, began practice in Elmira.
He had two uncles who were supportive of the British"s efforts during the American Revolutionary War. including David Mathews the Loyalist Mayor of New York City. Mathews pursued an academic course in Noah Webster"s School at Goshen and at the academy at Hackensack, New Jersey. He studied law in New York City, was admitted to the bar in 1790 and commenced practice in Elmira.
He was bounty land claims commissioner in 1798 and served as Cavalry commander and brigadier general in the New York militia.
He was elected as a Federalist to the 11th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1809 to March 3, 1811. Mathews was district attorney for the seventh district of New York from 1813 to 1815 and moved to Bath, and in 1821 to Rochester.
He resumed the practice of law in Rochester, where he died in 1846. He was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mathews was a member of the New York State Assembly (Tioga Company) in 1794 and 1795. And of the New York State Senate (Western Doctorate) from 1796 to 1803, sitting in the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th New York State Legislatures. He was again a member of the State Assembly (Monroe Company) in 1826, and was district attorney of Monroe County in 1831.